Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to benefit a variety of habitats where rhododendron is invading a sensitive site.

Rhododendrons thrive in damp acidic soils, and quickly grow to form a dense shading canopy at the expense of other native plants.

Stem injection should be considered for difficult sites where mechanised or manual clearance of rhododendron isn’t appropriate and bushes are large enough to access to the main stem. Treated bushes are left in situ.

Any land where rhododendron is invading a sensitive habitat is eligible.

a) Medium category is defined as that where the slope of the ground is between 0 and 33 per cent.

b) Difficult category is defined as that where the slope of the ground is greater than 33 per cent.

You can check if this item is available on your holding here.

You must prepare a Rhododendron Control Plan, following Scottish Forestry's technical guidance.

The plan must include a 1:10,000 map showing the extent of the rhododendrons, their density (light, medium or heavy), the areas to be treated and the type of treatment you propose (chemical, mechanical or manual) and the timing of treatment. The plan must also detail any proposed follow-up control.

• you must treat the area as detailed in your rhododendron control plan by chemical stem injection of rhododendron
• you must maintain a diary
• you must keep photographic evidence of the site before and after treatment as part of your claim

You can claim:

• Medium: £3,000.00 per hectare of infested land
• Difficult: £4,500.00 per hectare of infested land

You may apply for payment on an actual cost basis for this item if the work you are proposing to carry out will benefit the notified features of a designated site, and where there are exceptional circumstances. This can include works which offer a dual benefit to both the environment and the long term management of a Scheduled Monument located within the designated site (Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura sites)

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• you have treated the area as detailed in your rhododendron control plan to ensure there is no regrowth
• you have maintained a diary which includes the dates treatment was undertaken
• when using herbicide near water, you must use a glyphosate-based chemical that is approved for use and you, or your spray operator, must have Scottish Environment Protection Agency authorisation
• you have kept photographic evidence of the site before and after treatment as part of your claim

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